Synthesis of copper and copper(I) oxide nanoparticles by thermal decomposition of a new precursor

Abstract The present investigation reports, the novel synthesis of nanoparticles Cu and Cu 2 O using thermal decomposition and its physicochemical characterization. The nanoparticles copper powder have been prepared using [Bis(salicylidiminato)copper(II)], [Cu(sal) 2 ], as precursor. Cu nanoparticles are initially formed and subsequently oxidized to form Cu 2 O. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis demonstrated nanoparticles Cu 2 O with an average diameter of about 10 nm. As-prepared copper nano-particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD analysis revealed broad pattern for fcc crystal structure of copper metal and cubic cuprite structure for Cu 2 O. Optical absorption measured by UV–visible spectroscopy was used to monitor oxidation course of Cu → Cu 2 O and to determine the band-gap energy about 2.4 eV for Cu 2 O nanoshells.